I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Linkee-poo before the Sunday morning talking heads

"According to a recent US Department of Agriculture report, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called food stamps) 'increasingly serves the working poor.' Indeed, among working-age SNAP recipients, 57 percent either work or are seeking employment, and 22 percent are disabled… Even so, USDA chief Sonny Perdue has a message for people who rely on the program: Get a job." Dear Sonny Perdue (and conservatives in general), get a brain and a social conscience. You're woefully ignorant of life. Your (parent's) money has kept you that way. "But the SNAP program already contains work requirements for what it calls Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). According to the USDA website, ABAWDs can only get SNAP benefits for three months of any three-year period, unless they 'work at least 80 hours per month, participate in qualifying education and training activities at least 80 hours per month, or comply with a workfare program.'" It's already a part of the fucking program you moron. (Grokked from John Scalzi)

Why is our response to the opioid problem so disjointed? "A 24-year-old former Trump campaign worker who rose rapidly to a senior post in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy will step down by the end of the month because of controversy surrounding his appointment… Taylor Weyeneth, who graduated from college in May 2016, was named a White House liaison to the drug office in March and then promoted to deputy chief of staff in July, at age 23. His only professional experience after college and before becoming a political appointee was working on the Trump presidential campaign… The announcement follows Washington Post stories that detailed Weyeneth's rapid rise at ONDCP… and inconsistencies and inaccuracies on three résumés he submitted to the government." Only the Best People™. (Grokked from Michele)

"A 'spooked' Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, won’t agree to a staff interview with the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chairman Chuck Grassley said." If only the Senate has subpoena powers to compel someone to appear before the committee. Oh, wait… However, here is the real problem, Republicans were lying about the Simpson/Fusion GPS testimony and spinning conspiracy theories which prompted Sen. Feinstein to release the transcript. Notice how all those people went silent and we're not hearing those conspiracy theories anymore. Now triangulate that experience with the Nunes memo. Notice a pattern? (Grokked from Christopher Moore)

"You're going to want to think about this." Jim Wright on the Nunes Memo. Jim is "…a retired US Navy intelligence officer." So he knows what he's talking about.

"The HR consulting firm asked 333 employers with at least 1,000 employees what they have done or plan to do as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Only 4 percent of companies said they had 'increased wages for all employees'; an additional 3 percent said they planned to do so in the next year. While an further 13 percent said they’re 'considering taking action this year or next,' a full 80 percent of companies aren’t considering giving raises at all." And then there's this, "The bonus and wage increases provided to employees have, so far, been a fraction of the savings companies are seeing from the tax bill." This is my shocked face.

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